Patience can wear thin when caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. It is important to remember that your loved one is doing the best he or she can while living with confusion and disorientation. Although it may seem like some of the troublesome behaviors are intentional - just to get your goat - these are rarely on purpose. You must just grin, take a deep breath, and become realistic with expectations. Much of these strange occurrences are simply out of your loved one's control. They seem to just pop up out of the blue.
Think about it. Imagine forgetting where you are going, where you have been, and why you considered either. Easy tasks can become insurmountable - getting dressed, preparing a bowl of cereal, using gadgets like microwaves and washing machine. Think of the insecurity, the emotional stress. In fact, sometimes if you watch carefully, you will note that some of your loved one's actions are reactions to your attitude and demeanor.
And so it is you, the caregiver, who must change. As abilities become limited, you'll need to alter your expectations and reactions. A routine can help. Sameness provides security. Get up at the same time, have clothes pre-laid out for easy access and dressing, have simple selections for meals. Make tasks simple. Instead of, "Here. Get dressed!", hand out items in the right order for getting dressed and in the correct orientation. If, even through the best planning, the socks are forgotten or the shirt is on backward, live with it for today and avoid confrontation or anger. Tomorrow gives you another chance.
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